Henrys Lake Subloop

Directions: From Macks Inn, on US 20 (mp 392.7), drive 5 mi N to bird meadows and sage flats; at mp 398.2 zero odometer and turn L (W) onto Red Rocks Rd (FR 053); at mi 5 turn R (N); go 1.1 mi to boat ramp and overlook; backtrack to FR 053; R (W) on FR 053 2.5 mi to T intersection; R (N) on FR 055 2.9 mi to Bill Frome County Park; bird bay on S side of park; backtrack to FR 055 and continue N; bird area east of Staley Springs; at ID 87 intersection, turn R (SE) and loop back to US 20; S on US 20 to mp 401 and entrance to Henrys Lake State Park; visit boat dock and trail behind campsite #32; backtrack to US 20 and continue S to mp 399; explore Meadow Creek Rd as it loops SE then connects with FR 059 and eventually back to US 20; S on US 20 to mp 394.3; R (W) on Sawtell Peak Rd (FR 024) to bird forest habitat.

Description: American Pipit, Red-necked and Western Grebes, Lesser Scaup, Red-breasted Merganser, and Franklin’s Gull are commonly seen during spring and summer. Red-tailed, Ferruginous, and Swainson’s Hawks can be seen in mid-Aug to mid-Sept along US 20. Areas surrounding the lake may contain Sandhill Crane, Long-billed Curlew, Great Gray Owl, and White-crowned Sparrow during spring and summer. In sagebrush flats, look for flocks of Horned Lark during April and May. In the whitebark pine forest above the lake, look for Clark’s Nutcracker, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cassin’s Finch, Red Crossbill, and Evening and Pine Grosbeaks. Listen for breeding Boreal Owl during breeding season.